etech669

Haven't picked them up as yet 3000km (1864Miles) away at the inlaws place, so the photos are all I have to go by at the moment.

G'day All,

Australian anvil any feed back would be appreciated.

One is a Connellan & Son Brisbane other unknown as yet. Did a quick search of the web and turned up nothing on this maker apart from a one liner on the Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia web site.

Any one know of these? Only paid $60 each. 

See pics.

Regards,

Geoff.

G'day All,

Calling on all who have seen their fair share of anvils.

Just picked up a pair of anvils one is a Connellan & Son Brisbane other unknown as yet. Did a quick search of the web and turned up nothing on this maker. Any one know of these?  

See pics.

Regards,

Geoff.

yer on the right page of the right book...... But it is a saga! As much as id like to help, it is pretty much every man for himself up here :P
once my steam hammer is running you are welcome to come and use it!
You dont happen to know of any one with a boiler!??

Thanks all for the comments, they do keep one motivated. The stippling was to save the knife as I had to burn in the washers for the rivets and they had ugly little black rings around them. Does help with grip though I could have kept the lines a little neater. I personally like the forge finished look though here in SA they don't sell, everyone wants Damascus and shiny with exotic materials.

If any one has any tips for drilling perfectly flat holes for washers?

Thanks

Tim

All are awesome blades man but "The Squid" is epic. Top notch work.

if by drop you mean power, they are few and far between.....

WOW! Awsome work there Chris, many hours of skilled time spent on these ones I'm guessing. Good Stuff.

Cheers

Geoff.

Wow! These are really nice! The designs are really nice and the fit and finish are top notch. Thanks for posting.


Mitch

nice python geoff!!! if it has any young, i could do with a mouse detterent!!

G'day Denise,
Ive been trying to work out a way of searching for members in the area on IFI but to no avail, there are a couple of blokes up toward Cairns and the Tablelands but haven't seen anyone else from Townsville area. I haven't set up a shop as yet (never had the room) but that's all about to change, shed extension plans complete, now I just have to get it council approved and built. I've been on the hunt for a drop hammer up this end of the world, dont know of any do you?

Regards,

I Did my apprenticeship making surgical instruments, loads of dangerous stuff to throw around the polishing room, Leather apron and a polisher fitted with a crash bar ( a steel pole mounted parallel with the polisher shaft about 2" directly below the wheel) if something does catch it spits it to the floor instead of across the shop. Generally i surface finish to 180grit max then into it with a 10"sisal wheel and grey fast cut compound alternating direction to remove required scratches. Then a loose calico mop with white compound also alternating direction and to finish off to mirror use the same mop with just a wipe of compound and gently feather you work piece off the edge of the buff in one direction this removes the grease smear and give you a high mirror finish. You can go the green but I've never felt it necessary unless I'm working with brass or copper. If a nice satin finish is what you're after or just want to shine up that hollow grind preserving the grind line as Phil said I use a 3M Scotchbrite wheel you can get different grades to give you that brushed finish, they're bloody expensive but they last forever if you're careful.

Cheers

G'day everyone,

I been looking through the forum at some of the quallity workmanship of members hand made knives and thought I might throw a couple of mine up for comment.

All these are made from Chainsaw bar using stock removal & polishied to a mirror finish. I've used various Handle materials but out of all of them "The Squid" was the hardest to make, I explain as I go through the pictures.

My first ever knife was this one a big Bowie 14" long, Stainless finger guard, merbu timber handle & Brass pins.



Next I had a crack at a Small hunter with gut hook, Stainless bolsters & pins, Deer Antler & Winchester 357 Shell for decoration.



And last of all "The Squid" A small Skinner. Stainless Bolsters and my very first attempt at Free hand Hollow grinding (I did a little Happy dance with this grind :) ) and finally the handle material, it's stone with a prehistoric type of squid. The work involved in grinding & polishing is not for the impatient many days were spent on getting this right and to be honest I wouldn't do it again, one slip and "CRACK" all over red rover. But I don't regret making it as it makes a good talking piece over a beer or three. Enjoy comment from you guys would be appreciated.

G'day All,

May as well throw my name in this long list, I'm Geoff live in Townsville Nth Qld, part time Knife maker. Did my trade with 2 blokes Collin & Phil Trewavis @ Trewavis Surgical Instruments in Victoria 27ish years ago and had the opportunity to beat out some awsome instruments on their huge bitsa drop hammer and have always enjoyed a bit of hot metal bashing.

Hi I've had similar failures with Sharpie pens but had some excellent results with "Dalo Etchant Resist pens" used for circuit board prototypes AU$6 (Not suitable for ammonium persulphate etchant)
Another product available here in Aus. is "Press & Peel PCB Film", Simply photocopy or laser print your design onto the film, cut to size, iron onto your copper project & etch. Good for larger designs (200mm x 280mm) pack of 5 sheets AU$32

Cheers.

I must say I'm also a fan of Jim Hrisoulas, 2 more of his books well worth the read

The Master Bladesmith - Advanced Studies In Steel
The Pattern Welded Blade - Artistry In Iron

Cheers.

Hi,
I agree with Basher, it looks like a clone as the one I've got in the shed has "Samuel Platt Ltd" very prominently on both sides of the body casting. The springs and arms also look a lot bigger/longer and the body casting is also different.

No idea what its worth in Australia as I still haven't managed to sell the one I've got either.

Andrew

hi , it does look a lot like an early 60lb goliath. the arms are a little different from the ones I have seen possibly not origional
I have had 2 (and a Hercules as well)and my current hammer is brilliant and I use it in preference to the air hammers have.
that hammer does not have a break , it will still be useful but not so controllable as one with a well set up break . you could always fit one .
things to look for / ask.
look for evidence of lack of oiling.
cracks in the casting.
wear in the main bearing between the fly wheel and spindle , wear in the two bearings front and back . this would be the most expensive to fix.
the slide bearing should be adjustable.
the arm bearings /connections should be tight with not too much movement same with pitman bearing. however any of these things are an easy fix/live-with kind of problem. early models (if its a samuel platt) have pins running through castings , later models have bronze bushes.
If the clutch is worn out the narrow end of the cone can be skimmed to give it more life.
there should be a gap between the dies at bottom position of a couple of cm.
This hammer looks more like the 1914 hammer I had than the 1948. if it is a samuel platt the last 2 numbers of the serial number are the year of manufacture.
These can be great hammers.
if you buy it please wrap the springs in leather , they are potentially dangerous un guarded., I have had the old springs break on every one of the hammers I have owned and they have been wrapped and it has been undramatic.
in the uk a hammer like this would go for over £1000 in really good nick a more modern one £2500 . hammer prices here are slowly rising.
if you have any questions feel free to ask.

I haven't had any problem since this guy moved in, he will take care of mice, rats & the occasional unfortunate possum. The ranger said he'll grow to about 5 meters long and will get used to me banging around in the shed.

Cheers

where are you in townsville etech? im near innisfail, and if you get that hammer i would love to see it working! get him to chuck in that anvil, to sweeten the deal... :P
woody

Samuel Platt or clone?
"Basher" is the in-house expert on these.

P.S. 3000km? Is that all?

Hi All,

I'm considering buying the attached Spring Hammer, the current owner is unsure what make or model it is. Can anyone shed some light on it's origins, anything I should be aware of or things to look for prior to purchasing? I have to travel 3000Kms to pick this up so I would rather ask any pertinent questions before I go.

Thanks.